Before the game, stars from the cast of TV comedy classic Auf Wiedersehen, Pet were introduced to the crowd.

They had returned to Tyneside to celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary. Coincidentally, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, director of football Joe Kinnear and boss Alan Pardew were also re-united at this match.

But no one was laughing.

Although Toon new boy Loic Remy hit a brace – his first goals for the club – this shock defeat puts the ­pressure back on Pardew.

“It was a day at the office we’ll have to forget,” said Pardew. “Remy’s display was a rare highlight.

“We were not tight enough. All three Hull goals were poor. We need to be consistent with our ­commitment and quality. Our selection of passes was not as great as it could be.”

By contrast, it was an ecstatic day at the office for Tigers boss Steve Bruce. The last time he was at St James’ Park – three years ago – his Sunderland side were trounced 5-1 in the Tyne-Wear derby.

“It was the worst result you could ever think of. But I’ve come back, dusted myself down and being a Geordie makes this win even better.”

Pardew’s men came into this game in good form after winning their past two matches.

And when Remy gave them the ideal start with an early goal, it looked the corner had been turned.

Moussa Sissoko’s cross from the right just evaded the head of Hull defender Liam Rosenior but Papiss Cisse miskicked.

Luckily the ball looped up invitingly for Remy – who headed into the net from only six yards out.

The Frenchman, of course, was Kinnear’s one summer signing.

The latter’s ­controversial appointment, and the Magpies’ early-season form – they took one point from their first two games – had led to widespread Geordie unease.

That quickly resurfaced when Hull levelled. They should have ­equalised when Danny Graham, a Magpies fan as a boy, headed Robbie Brady’s cross straight at United keeper Tim Krul.

The home defence failed to clear and Brady received the ball back again from Sone Aluko before driving it between the Krul’s legs for his third of the season. Most pundits suggested Bruce’s newly-promoted team were in for a long and hard season. But they are raising quite a few eyebrows, beating both Newcastle and Norwich, as well as drawing against Cardiff.

They certainly showed their attacking intent yesterday, creating many chances.

Tom Huddlestone played a wonderful through ball to Graham but the ball was nicked off his toe.

Then Jake Livermore’s shot was blocked by Mathieu Debuchy. But it was the home side who went ahead, just before half-time – with Remy again the scorer.

Yohan Cabaye’s long-range shot was blocked by James Chester.

And there was the 26-year-old hitman, showing razor sharp striking instincts, to slot the ball past Allan McGregor.

A couple of minutes after the restart, however, United’s defence looked half asleep as the East Yorkshire side battled back again to equalise.

Brady floated in a free-kick and Ahmed ­Elmohamady soared above the rearguard to nod the ball in off the post.

Bruce then brought on a couple of subs, which gave the visitors the momentum to grab a stunning – and deserved – winner.

George Boyd, who had replaced Stephen Quinn, crossed from the left and Aluko’s 18-yard left-footed volley flew in off the post.

Remy had one final chance to get a point – and a hat-trick – but missed a golden opportunity in added time, smashing the ball wide from only a few yards out.